Week 1 of the Birch Gnomes Quilt Along is all about getting organized! It’s “the gathering”!
We’ll walk through choosing the fabric you’ll need to make the quilt. I’ll give you suggestions for making fabric choices, and even provide some specific fabrics that you might find work well for the birch trees!
We’ll also talk a bit about the supplies and tools you’ll need to make the Birch Gnomes quilt. And I’ll share a few of my favorite tools and supplies.
Let’s talk about sharing our progress and projects too! Facebook and Instagram will allow us to share progress and to see each other’s work!!
And…I’m so excited to be pairing with Fabric Shack for this quilt along!! They have donated some really cute Charm Packs for prizes that I’ll be randomly giving away, along with some items I’ve curated!
Let’s get started!
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Fabric Requirements
The gnomes are created using a variety of gray prints, along with white fabric for the beard and peach fabric for the nose.
The birch trees are created using a variety of cream prints. If the cream prints have some dark patterns on them even better!!
For the background I used a medium gray solid fabric to show off the trees and a light gray solid fabric to show off the gnomes.
You can stick to these colors, or not! Have fun choosing your color palette, and remember…there are no rules!!
This easy project can be made from several fat quarters.
And would be absolutely lovely made with all flannels!!
I suggest using only high quality 100% cotton fabric, the kind you’ll find at your local quilt shop or favorite online shop like Fabric Shack.
Gray Print Fabric:
There are soooo many adorable gray print fabrics on the market!!!
The total fabric needed is about 1 yard. However, to achieve the scrappy look of this quilt I suggest using a few different prints. Either purchase a few new fat quarters or raid your own fabrics stash! The scrappiness of this cozy quilt design is a great way to use up some of your leftover fabric.
White Fabric:
The total fabric needed is about 5/8 yard. I like to use Kona Snow!
Peach Fabric:
The total fabric needed is about 1/8 yard (or an 8” x 18” piece). You can use a peach tone on tone print or a peach solid!
Cream Fabric (with minimal black or gray design in it):
You’ll need a total of about 2 1/2 yards. Use a few or several different prints to make the 24 birch tree blocks. My personal preference would be to use at least 6-8 different prints for a very scrappy look!!
Fabric Shack carries many of these prints!
Click the link below to download a list of cream fabrics that would work well for the birch trees!
Medium Gray and Light Gray Solid Fabric:
The total medium gray solid fabric needed is about 2 3/4 yards. I like to use Kona Medium Gray.
And you’ll need about 1 1/2 yards of light gray solid fabric. I like Kona Quicksilver or Kona Ash.
Fusible Web:
You’ll need an 8” x 18” piece of fusible web.
Tools + Supplies
Let’s go over a few of the basic quilting tools and supplies you’ll need to make the Birch Gnomes quilt!
First, you’ll need the BIRCH GNOMES Quilt Pattern.
Click here to get the pattern on Etsy!
In the pattern you’ll not only find all of the directions to make this quilt, but you’ll also find the templates necessary to make the gnomes!
Second, you’ll need basic quilting supplies! A sewing machine (unless you’ll be stitching your entire quilt by hand!), cutting mat, rotary cutter, plastic quilt ruler, scissors, straight pins, iron and pressing mat or ironing board will all be required. As always, I play it safe and have a handy dandy seam ripper in my box of tools too!
I’ve linked to my favorite items above so you can see the ones I like to use!
Third is thread! You’ll want to use a 100% cotton thread. The brand of thread is a personal choice, but I like to use Gutermann. I recommend you to use a neutral cream or light gray color of thread to sew this pattern.
Share Your Progress!!
Follow lakegirlquilts on Instagram! Post a pic of the fabrics you choose and mention @lakegirlquilts to be eligible to win the prize for Week 1! Use #birchgnomesqal in your post!
Follow the lakegirlquilts page on Facebook too! We can all chat about the Birch Gnomes QAL there!! Folks can post questions and I’ll answer them for everyone. If you’re wondering about something it’s likely someone else is too!! As always, you can also email me a question if you’d prefer.
Have fun choosing your fabrics and rounding up your supplies!!
